The Pear Tree Inn, Whitley, Wiltshire

On the edge of the village of Whitley, The Pear Tree makes a great base for anyone wanting to visit Bath (25 mins by car), the National Trust-owned village of Lacock (7 minutes) and the pretty town of Bradford-on-Avon (15 minutes). It is also close to Chippenham, for trains from London. Guests can make a day trip to Bath to see the Roman Baths and wander the medieval streets of Lacock. Here, Sign of the Angel is an atmospheric spot for dinner.

By car: the hotel is 45 mins from Bristol, 2 hours 15 mins from London and 3 hours 30 mins from Manchester. There is free parking on-site.

By train: London Paddington to Melksham (via Swindon or Westbury) takes around 1 hour 45 mins. The Pear Tree is a 10-minute taxi ride from the station. Book trains to Melksham.

For a pub garden, The Pear Tree is very well-tended. As the name suggests, it is home to pear trees, as well as a greenhouse and flower beds. The inn's front is festooned with wisteria, while inside the charm continues with exposed brickwork, vintage toys and comic strip prints.

Staff are polite, welcoming and well-trained. There is a big, gravel car park out the front, with plenty of spaces for cars, and room service is available. The bar is cosy and the restaurant popular. Bar staff are particularly affable, while service at dinner is warm and knowledgeable.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Gardens
• Pet-friendly
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Four bedrooms sit above the pub and are characterised by wooden beams and sloping floors. The other four rooms are found in a converted barn at the back. All are tastefully decorated with digital radios and contemporary, nature-inspired patterns. Most bathrooms have traditional shower-baths.

Room types: Anjou, Seckle, Starkrimson, Tosca, Bartlett, Comice, Forelle, Taylors Gold

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with Bramley toiletries, local tea and coffee supplies, Smart TV, free Wi-Fi

This 'farmhouse kitchen' uses herbs from its garden, as well as locally grown and reared free-range produce. The kitchen makes all its own jams, chutneys, cakes, biscuits and ice creams too. Portion sizes are good and menus feature pub classics alongside more exciting mains, traditional British puddings and a super, local cheese board.

The restaurant: seasonal menus, homegrown and locally sourced produce, modern British dishes, pub classics, small plates. Mains from £14.25.